Political Isolation

On June 18, 1883, pressured by the economic crisis, the United States of America announced its withdrawal from the free trade system and implemented tariff barriers.

Before the United Kingdom and Austria could react and take action, on June 20, 1883, the French Government likewise announced its withdrawal from the free trade system.

Affected by this, the free trade system so painstakingly built by the United Kingdom and Austria suddenly became precarious.

France was not the same as the United States of America. The latter's influence was limited, so its withdrawal from the free trade system had little impact. But France was different.

As one of the world's three great powers, the impact brought by the French Government's departure from the circle was undoubtedly enormous.

Upon receiving the news, the Vienna Government was naturally furious. They had harvested less than half the crop, and the leeks had run away so quickly. It truly was...

Minister of Economy Reinhard Hardegen: "Affected by the two countries' withdrawal from the free trade system, the Vienna stock market index plunged by 5.4 percent, while the London stock market fell by 7.3 percent.

"The import-export trade sector suffered the greatest blow, with widespread declines of more than 15 percent. Overnight, 310 million Divine Shield evaporated from the Austrian stock market, while 520 million Divine Shield vanished from the British stock market.

"Financial fluctuations are bound to affect the real economy. This happened too suddenly, and domestic enterprises were unprepared.

"Many businesses with trade ties to those two countries are preparing to lay off workers and cut production capacity to weather the shock.

"France is our third-largest trading partner. Total import-export trade in the first half of this year reached 64.58 million Divine Shield. Affected by tariff barriers, that figure may fall by two-fifths in the